Abstinence, Monogamy, Condoms

My first contact with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, known world-wide as AIDS, was while I was a Dietetic Intern at a large teaching hospital. I was beginning my Clinical Semester, assigned a  rotation in the Infectious Disease Isolation Unit.

AIDS had first been clinically diagnosed in late 1980 to early 1981. A recent college graduate beginning a career in the health care field, I was well educated regarding AIDS. I knew that it wasn't airborne. I knew it couldn't be contracted through casual contact. I knew that as a health care worker, I was much more likely to get one of the hepatitis infections than I was to get AIDS.

I did not know about Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, because no one did. It wasn't isolated until 1983. There was no screening process, no treatment. So by the time someone was diagnosed, their condition was terminal.

Our AIDS patients in the hospital were kept in isolation for their own protection, because they were so susceptible to opportunistic infections. I was visiting these patients to help them with menu selections, to special order virtually anything they thought they might be able to eat, and to pad their diets with fat and calories. 

I remember knocking on the door of the first room. I'll admit I was trepidatious. I heard a feeble voice say "Come in" and I opened the door.

I thought I was prepared. I wasn't. I've reflected on that moment many times over the years, and I can only hope that the shock didn't show on my face.

The young man sitting on the side of the bed reminded me of photographs I'd seen of Auschwitz prisoners. He was emaciated and weak. He could barely lift his eyes to mine as I entered the room. But those eyes reflected immeasurable gratitude when I sat down with him on the side of his bed. I've long since forgotten his name, but his face I remember.

I worked with the AIDS patients for several days, until I was moved on to a different unit. He didn't survive my assignment.

I soon learned about HIV, and that it doesn't survive outside the body except under stringent laboratory conditions. And I quickly learned that it wasn't a "gay disease." Anyone can be exposed through sexual contact, shared needles, and blood transfusions received before the ability to screen donors and blood products for HIV.

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that more than one million people in the United States are living with HIV and that one in five are unaware of it. An estimated 56,300 people become infected with HIV in the United States every year. And more than 18,000 people in our country still die from AIDS every year.

I strongly support abstinence outside of lifetime monogamous marriage. I also believe that sex education for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV, is critical.

But sex outside marriage is a reality, and indiscriminate sex is a reality. However, it does not deserve the death penalty. I do NOT support Planned Parenthood because of their abortion practices, but I can appreciate the fact that they provide condoms. Even the shelter I lived in kept a large bowl of condoms on the counter, free for anyone. That's a good thing.

I love the show "Designing Women," and I wish it was still on television. One episode in particular sticks in my mind: Mary Jo speaking to the PTA on the subject of AIDS and condoms. The episode aired in 1987, and you can watch an excerpt from it here. Fast forward to 3:40 minutes to watch the pertinent portion of the clip.

I also recommend the movie "Something to Live For: The Alison Gertz Story" with Molly Ringwald, released in 1992.

And young man, I remember you.

"She Thinks His Name Was John" by Reba McEntire